Whitecaps FC 2013 MLS regular season schedule announced

VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC confirmed today the 2013 Major League Soccer regular season schedule via whitecapsfc.com. Vancouver’s third season in MLS, and 39th year since becoming a professional club, will kick off the opening weekend at BC Place when they host Canadian rivals Toronto FC on Saturday, March 2, at 3:30 p.m. PT.

Whitecaps FC head coach Martin Rennie's side will play 34 regular season matches over 35 weeks, including 27 Saturdays, four Sundays, and three Wednesdays.

"We are pleased with the balance of home and away matches in every month," said Rennie, who last season led the ‘Caps to the MLS Cup Playoffs, a first for Canadian MLS clubs. "Starting with the first match against arch-rivals Toronto FC, a club that we share a lot of history with on and off the pitch, all the way through to our last match in October, I am looking forward to an exciting season as we look to make more history in 2013."

Whitecaps FC 2013 MLS season tickets start at $349, plus applicable tax and a $10 processing fee per order. To secure a seat and for additional information about Whitecaps FC MLS season tickets, including Pitchside Club and suites, call 604.669.9283 or visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.

As a member of the MLS Western Conference, Whitecaps FC will play each Western Conference opponent three times (24 matches) and all 10 Eastern Conference opponents once each (10 matches). The ‘Caps will play four Western Conference clubs twice at home - Cascadia Cup rivals Portland Timbers, two-time defending MLS Cup champions LA Galaxy, as well as Chivas USA and Real Salt Lake. Following the March 2 season opener with Toronto, Vancouver will host four other Eastern Conference clubs in Columbus Crew, New England Revolution, Chicago Fire, and Philadelphia Union at BC Place.

The 2013 schedule includes a total of six Cascadia Cup matches versus Portland and Seattle, as well as Vancouver’s lone league clash with Canadian rivals Montreal Impact at Stade Saputo on Saturday, September 21. Vancouver’s final regular season match will take place at home on Sunday, October 27, versus Western Conference rivals Colorado Rapids.

As previously confirmed, Whitecaps FC will visit North American Soccer League side FC Edmonton on April 24 before hosting the Alberta-based club on May 1 in the two-leg semifinal series of the Amway Canadian Championship. The ACC final series will be played on May 15 and May 29.

All matches will be available live on TEAM 1410 sports radio, as well as Bell mobile devices. The 2013 television broadcast schedule, as well as home match kickoff times will be announced in the coming weeks.

As in 2012, 10 clubs will qualify for the 2013 MLS Cup Playoffs. This will consist of the top five clubs in points from each conference at the end of the regular season. The 2013 MLS Cup championship match on December 7 or 8 will be hosted by the club with the better regular season record, additional details to be announced at a later date.